Schaub accepts responsibility for Texans’ playoff failings

Matt Schaub, the Texans’ ringmaster, walked into the middle of a circus at Reliant Stadium on Thursday. It was apropos that Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth” was preparing to open, considering how many disgruntled Texans fans had been calling Schaub the greatest “schmo” on earth since the end of last season, when both the team and its quarterback tailed off precipitously.

But Schaub, who always has been resolutely unflappable off the field, declined to take the bait when asked about the negative clamor he has dealt with since the Texans’ 1-3 finish and ensuing playoff flame-out at New England that brought a premature end to a season that, early on, held such great promise.

Smiling, Schaub said of his career choice: “It comes with the territory. I signed up for this. Good, bad or indifferent, you’ve got to deal with the praise, (and) you’ve got to deal with the criticism. (Because) we weren’t the last team standing last year, we all failed. Along toward the end of the year, we faced some tough teams and some challenges, and we didn’t handle it that well. We didn’t accomplish our goals — me in particular. If we play a little better in those (big) moments, we’ll be fine.”

Although the less virulent Schaub detractors want to believe he secretly was hiding an injury that contributed to his skid — he tossed just a single touchdown pass over the final fourth of the season — he won’t indulge them.

“It’s a long season. It’s a marathon, and you’re going to deal with some things,” he said. “But I was fine.”

Support from within

Schaub’s teammates seemingly remain unified around him. Center Chris Myers, who had earlier passed through the interview area, called the brickbats being thrown at Schaub “unjustified. … But that comes with the quarterback position. When the team doesn’t do well, everybody blames the quarterback. But the numbers Matt puts up every season are up there with the best.”

Give Myers bonus points for loyalty. Obviously, Schaub’s stats aren’t as gaudy as those routinely posted by Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. But a year ago, Schaub’s numbers were shockingly similar to those of Joe Flacco during the regular season, and Schaub handily won the individual battle in a 43-13 midseason rout of the Ravens. Over 16 games, Schaub completed more passes and had a higher completion percentage, threw for more yards and posted a higher quarterback rating.

They both threw for 22 touchdowns and averaged 7.2 yards per attempt. However, while Schaub fizzled late, Flacco caught fire and won the Super Bowl, earning a new $120.6 million contract that for the moment makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Plus, he is the toast of Baltimore.

Schaub? Never mind that he went 15-1 as a starter over a stretch in 2011-12 or that in the 15th victory, over Jacksonville, five of his passes went for touchdowns and his 527 yards tied for the most in the modern era of the NFL. He is toast in Houston until he proves he can lead the Texans to the promised land.

“It’s a new year, a new team,” said Schaub, conceding nothing to the naysayers. “We’re back to set ourselves up for Week 1, then get rolling. I tried to find a way to get better this offseason and carry that into training camp. Each year we keep adding an influx of talent, of young guys on our offense. Now we’ve got to turn it on and get those guys caught up.”

Focus on receivers

Schaub embraces the challenge of getting DeAndre Hopkins, the top draft pick who is expected to start opposite Andre Johnson at receiver, in sync as quickly as possible. He believes “it’s paramount” to have Hopkins and second-year receivers Keshawn Martin and DeVier Posey on the same page with him.

“It’s something we’ve been (working on) since they arrived in the building, then through OTAs and here in camp,” Schaub said. “There’s going to be plenty of reps, throws to be made. We’ll be out there twice a day for three weeks. We’ve got to maximize their ability by putting them in position to make plays. It’s on me in particular, but we’re going to get that done.”

Schaub personally draws energy from Hopkins and company.

“They’re so eager to get started and get going,” he said. “It’s fun, because it challenges me to have that much more control and knowledge. You realize those guys can help from the get-go, and you want to make sure they get to a point where they can just go out and play football instead having to think about, ‘Where do I line up? What are my route adjustments?’ ”

Speaking specifically of Hopkins, Schaub said: “He makes some of those one-handed catches look pretty routine. The ball just seems to stick to his hand. We’re playing around, just playing catch, and he’ll say, ‘I’m going to catch the next 10 with one hand,’ and he does it effortlessly. His hand swallows the football. It’s just very impressive. And he’s all ears. He wants to learn.”